Not another Chanel bag, but an investment with a 60% annual return

It is known that the fashion house's products do not lose value over the years. Vintage Chanel bags only become more expensive with age: models that have survived several decades cost several times more than new ones. And items from exclusive lines become objects of hunting for private collectors who are ready to pay any amount of money for them.

We tell you how the cost of Chanel bags changes over time, which lots should not be missed in resale if you want to invest in luxury items.

Let's take an example: a medium-sized double-flap bag is valued at over $10,000 today. Whereas five years ago it cost almost half as much. This means that over the years, new products today will become even more expensive, and those that can only be purchased through resale are already increasing in value.

Also interesting to evaluate how the prices of the Medium Classic Flap bag have changed since the year of its release.

Of course, the purchasing power of the dollar in 1955 and in 2018 are different things. But it is obvious that, taken together, the graphs show the high valuation of their product by the fashion house and the public's willingness to buy legendary classics on such terms.

Every year, the Chanel house increases the cost of its products by about 10%, and resale prices also rise. The profitability of individual unique vintage models at auctions can reach 40-60%.

Pay attention to the dynamics that are observed for each size of a classic bag.

The table shows that the greatest increase in cost was recorded for the small and medium sizes — these formats are in the greatest demand among luxury connoisseurs.

The variety of models can confuse a novice investor, so at the start we recommend paying attention to products with the following characteristics:

1. Verified authenticity. It is important to buy an original Chanel bag as an investment lot. Buying it from private sellers is dangerous due to the risk of encountering a fake, it is better to study the catalogs of luxury resale marketplaces.

2. Classic. A compact black bag will never go out of fashion, which means it will not become cheaper. It is the classic models that confidently grow in price every year, while the demand for other collections depends on fashion. Pay attention to the completeness. If you manage to find a product with a box, dust cover, label, you should definitely consider it as an investment.

3. Limited collections and discontinued. Collectors value unique products in a typical high fashion design no less than classics.

4. Creations of famous masters. We are talking about famous designers and fashion designers who collaborated with the house of Chanel. Karl Lagerfeld, Virginie Viard — when studying the history of the product, pay attention to the name of its creator.

5. Material — caviar leather. This is the most wear-resistant option, which can go through decades without damage. Caviar leather retains its shape perfectly and is not susceptible to scratches.

6. Colors — restrained, classic. We are talking about black, brown and ivory. These will definitely always be relevant. However, you should not overlook rare seasonal colors that are not reissued — limited availability always affects the value.

When studying the catalogs of luxury resale platforms, it is worth paying attention to the following pieces:

1. Chanel 2.55 Flap Bag
2. Chanel Classic Flap Flap Bag (official name — 11.12)
3. WOC Wallet.
4. Chanel Coco Handles.
5. Chanel Boy Flaps.
6. Reissued Chanel 2.55.
7. Chanel 19.
8. Chanel 22.
9. Chanel Multipocket.
10. Chanel East West.
11. Chanel Cambon.

Let's take a closer look at the features and value of each.

The first ever women's bag with a long strap, the Chanel 2.55, was born in February 1955, from which it got its name.

Back in 1955, the Chanel 2.55 medium format (the smaller and larger versions appeared much later) was priced at $220. At the end of the 20th century, the price was $1,500, and by 2020 it had reached $6,500. In today's reality, the closest analogue of the legendary 2.55 on the brand's portal is a medium-sized one made of black aged calfskin, with a gilded square lock and a chain of a similar tone - it is offered for $10,800, over seven decades the price of the accessory has increased 49 times. To call this investment simply a profitable one is an understatement.

In 1983, Karl Lagerfeld created a twin of the 2.55 — the Chanel 11.12 bag, which was named after its code in the fashion house's product matrix — 01112. The accessory, which takes 15 hours of manual labor, is assembled like the 2.55, and differs only in the clasp made of crossed C's and the strap — a chain with a simplified weave, through which a leather ribbon is pulled.

The investment value of the 11.12 is similar to that of the 2.55.

It may be strange to see a wallet in a selection of bags, but the list would be incomplete without this model. The versatile and practical WOC in various designs has long been a favorite of luxury connoisseurs. The high percentage of appreciation makes it an excellent investment lot.

The model was released in 2017. It is a trapezoid with a rigid but elegant handle. The most popular sizes are mini and small.

The bag was released in 2011 — the debut was a success. The model, created in honor of Coco's long-time lover, won the hearts of many. This daring piece increases in price by about 10% every year.

The famous 2.55 model was released in 1955. Karl Lagerfeld recreated it 50 years later, adding a touch of modern trends to the design. It is available in six sizes, but the regular and large sizes are the most popular among buyers.

This is the latest piece created by Karl Lagerfeld and inspired by the 2.55 bag. It was released in 2019, and given the fame of its creator, the prospects for price growth are quite high.

A model popular among collectors, created by Virginie Viard, is rapidly rising in price, despite the fact that it was released quite recently — in 2022. The atypical silhouette for Chanel will definitely help it become an excellent investment.

This unusual model begins the story of bags that have been discontinued. They are only available in resale and are most likely already stored in private collections. Multipocket was sold from 2004 to 2005, the fashion house did not release it again.

The bag was discontinued in 2010, which means that today it is at least 15 years old. Visually, it resembles the classic model, and if you are inexperienced, you can confuse them.

The bag, which was unusual in format and design for the fashion house, ceased to be produced in 2012.

Now you know which models and collections to pay attention to when studying the catalogs of luxury resale platforms. Let us briefly recall the selection criteria:

1. The originality of the Chanel bag. Without this, no description will justify the high price. The value of Chanel bags is primarily due to the connection with the haute couture house.
2. Belonging to classic, rare, discontinued collections. Author of a famous designer.
3. Completeness and integrity of the product. A bag in perfect condition with a box and dust cover is worth and valued more.
4. Material — caviar leather. It will allow you to set a high price for a Chanel bag when reselling in a few years, since age will not affect its condition.
5. Classic colors. These are black, brown and ivory. But if you feel confident in investing, pay attention to shades that are not typical for Chanel.
6. Confirmed growth dynamics. Yes, for rare products it can be difficult to track. Study catalogs, follow auctions and the price list of the Chanel house itself to keep up to date with current prices.